What is a blighted ovum? A blighted ovum, also known as an anembryonic pregnancy, happens when something goes wrong shortly after conception. In a normal pregnancy, a sperm fertilizes an egg shortly after ovulation. Doctors can diagnose a blighted ovum using an ultrasound starting at around week 7 of pregnancy. Imaging will show a smaller than normal and empty gestational sac without an embryo. What causes a blighted ovum? Most early miscarriages are due to chromosomal abnormalities....

You’re 20 weeks along, which means you’re already halfway through your pregnancy! Take a deep breath if you’re free to, that is, sincecongestion during pregnancyis very common. Only 4 months left to go! ).Boy or girl?Curious about whether that melon-sized belly has aboy or a girlinside? Your little girl also has primitive eggs in tiny ovaries now, about 7 million of them. So dont be concerned if your bump is bigger or smaller than the bump next door....

This week, the tiny cluster of cells (soon to become your baby!) Your soon-to-be fetus is still a cluster of cells that are growing and multiplying. Only 8 months to go! But don’t underestimate its potential. In other words, congratulations! The fertilized egg contains 46 chromosomes 23 from each biological parent. The mother always provides an X chromosome, but the father can provide either an X or a Y. If the sperm that fertilizes your egg carries an X, the XX zygote will be a girl....

In week 4 of pregnancy, your body is beginning to form the placenta and amniotic sac. (But if you don’t notice any symptoms at all yet, that’s completely normal too. Only 8 months to go! You might feel a little pressure in your abdomen (nothing to worry about!) This is usually a sign that the embryo has implanted itself into the uterine wall. Dont have any spotting at all? (And no, a standard multi wont do....

It’s almost time! That’s also why so many newborns (though not all!) Amniotic fluid is usually colorless and odorless. If you notice fluid that looks yellowish and smells of ammonia, you’re probably leaking urine. If the flow stops, it’s urine. you’re free to help that process along bydoing your Kegelsfaithfully both before and after you deliver. Even your baby knows what to do by molding that still-pliable head to fit through that tight squeeze....

Also, notice a jump in baby’s length this week? Only 4 months left to go! But believe it or not, your fetus sleeps as much as a newborn. Want your peanut to eat his broccoli later? There must be some mistake! Then startwalking for exercise. Try taking adip in the pool. The slippery surface, along with your growing belly, canthrow off your balance. If you’re 21 weeks pregnant, you’re in month 5 of your pregnancy....

Your babys grip, vision and hearing are all getting stronger now. Only 4 months left to go! Don’t worry it’s tough enough to handle it.The sense of sight is also becoming more fine-tuned. But your tummy’s not the only thing that’s growing these days. Have you looked down at your feet? And three, you could turn the tables by teasingly giving them a belly rub in return. If you feel irregular, painless, squeezing sensations in your abdomen, it is....

Your baby’s beautiful eyes may open this week. Only 3 months left to go! It’s your baby! Your little peanut might kick in response as in: “Get that light out of my eyes! Next time you come under attack, try changing positions or doing some stretches of your own. But dont be surprised if yours flare up more these days. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) setsstrict standards for crib manufacturersand retailers....

Don’t be surprised if you suddenly start noticing little jumps in that growing belly of yours, either. Only 3 months left to go! His weight is creeping up the charts too, coming in at around 2 pounds. Need a taste test? A dab of calamine lotion can also be temporarily soothing and is safe to use. Talk to your practitioner about this. In some women, RLS is linked to iron-deficiency, anemia or a sensitivity to certain foods....

At 37 weeks, you’re 9 months pregnant with the end in sight. Only a few weeks left to go! In fact, until the end of week 38, hes technically considered early term. but that doesn’t stop your practitioner from guessing when labor will begin.Just what is your doctor looking for? First, fordilation, or how far your cervix has opened. you might be very dilated and not have your baby for weeks....

With 38 weeks in the books, month 9 of pregnancy is about halfway done. Your baby’s lungs are stronger and she’s getting ready to announce her entrance into the world. Only a few weeks left to go! Sleepless nights, a little anxiety andleaky breasts.Huh? You may want to skip caffeine and any other diuretic drinks now. Does this mean that labor is imminent? So if youre having diarrhea this week, it may mean that labor is imminent (yay!...

Welcome to your second trimester for many women, the most comfortable of all three. With the arrival of this milestone, youll experience some welcome changes. For starters, most of yourearly pregnancy symptomswill ease up or even disappear. When does the second trimester start and end? In total, the second trimester lasts for about 14 weeks. What are the symptoms of second trimester pregnancy? You may even find yourself snoring for the first time!...

Believe it or not, your pregnancy journey begins now, even though youre not actually pregnant yet. Thats because most practitionersstart timing pregnancybased on the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP). Or are you?Surprise: Youre not actually pregnant during your first week of pregnancy! Only 8 months to go! But that’s not all that’s happening. First, it encourages the lining of the uterus to begin thickening again. Think of these two weeks of waiting as a final walk-through before baby takes over the keys....